Stuart Ford’s IM Global has started production on Marlon Wayans’ spoof 50 Shades Of Black. The film is financed by IM Global’s Octane division. Wayans, who stars as mysterious entrepreneur Christian Black, is a producer and writer on the project, alongside regular partner Rick Alvarez. Mike Tiddes is directing, and Ford exec produces along with IM Global’s Matt Jackson, Glendon Palmer, and Paddy Cullen. Open Road, which released Wayans’ two AHaunted House films, will also release domestically on January 29, 2016. Lampooning whips and bondage epic 50 Shades Of Grey, Wayans’ film also stars Kali Hawk (Bridesmaids) as the young woman drawn to Mr. Black and his playroom, along with Affion Crockett (A Haunted House), Mike Epps (The Hangover), Jane Seymour (Wedding Crashers) and Fred Willard (Anchorman).

iQiYi, the online video platform of China’s Baidu, announced today it will distribute Talking To Hollywood With Betty Zhou. The makers of the show claim it is the first to be made exclusively for Chinese audiences offering inside access to Hollywood films and stars. It is being produced by Zhou in partnership with Hollywood film studios Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, Universal Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Zhou is a well-known Chinese presenter. She served as a bilingual on-air host for tour events featuring NBA players including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. The sometime actress has also featured in features, including Universal’s The Man With The Iron Fists. The first episode debuted on iQiYi on August 4.

Swipe Films has acquired UK and Irish rights to Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s award-winning The President from BAC Films International. The President tells the story of a revolution and the collapse of a dictatorship. It is inspired by the different revolutions taking place in Iran and the Middle East in recent years. “It is a modern fable about power, reconciliation, and the hope for breaking a never ending circle of violence, exploring the possibility of stopping the violence after a revolution in search of freedom and democracy. I am delighted to be working with Swipe Films on its release in the UK,” said Makhmalbaf, who now lives in exile in the UK, having run afoul of Iranian authorities for his outspoken dissent.